THREE rising Manchester United stars have received a timely World Cup boost as national managers finalise their preparations for the Far East.

Uncapped duo Diego Forlan and John O'Shea have both been called up by their countries for games at the end of this month, offering both a slim chance of breaking into the reckoning for the summer spectacular.

And Wes Brown, after another season wrecked by injury, is clinging to the hope that he could still figure in the Reds' chase for honours this season - and make a last-gasp bid for an England place.

Forlan has been called into the senior Uruguay squad for the first time, as they begin their World Cup warm-up with a trip to play Saudi Arabia on March 27.

The previous night, O'Shea will turn out for Don Givens' Republic of Ireland under-21s against Denmark - with Mick McCarthy earmarking him as a potential late inclusion in the full squad.

Brown's hopes are much fainter - a catalogue of knee and ankle problems has restricted him to just 16 outing for the Reds this season.

But he received brighter news this week, getting the go-ahead to return to action next week.

The youngster has admitted that he does not figure in Sven-Goran Eriksson's plans at the moment, but says: "I've just got to get back playing in the United first team before I start thinking about England."

Brown badly needs to get back in the swing. Injuries have plagued his promising career after he won his first full England cap in 1999, at which time he was slightly ahead of Rio Ferdinand in the national team's pecking order.

But Ferdinand's untroubled run has established him as an automatic Eriksson choice.

With Laurent Blanc expected to retire in the summer, Fergie will target a top Continental defender, with PSV Eindhoven's Kevin Hofland and Lazio's Alessandro Nesta in his thoughts. He could even bring in two.

With Ronny Johnsen back from his latest injury ordeal, and O'Shea maturing nicely into the first-team reckoning, the next few months will be crucial for Longsight-lad Brown.

But Brown is still quick to appreciate the talent of O'Shea, now becoming a firm rival for a first-team spot.

"Sheasy is a really good centre half. He's tall, he's fast and he's got good feet," said Brown. "I'm sure he'll be playing in games before too long.

"I'll relish his challenge. There's no point being somewhere where you're not being challenged, it keeps you on your toes."